Three of Central Coast Council’s projects have been recognised as the best in New South Wales for their engineering excellence.The winners were announced at the Institute of Public Works Engineering Australia (IPWEA) state conference last night in the Hunter Valley.The Wyong CBD drainage upgrade received top honours taking out the award for Design and/or Construction of a Local Government/Public Works Project.The multi-million dollar project was split into six stages and saw drainage three times bigger than previous installed through the Wyong Central Business District (CBD) to reduce the impact of flooding in the area and support future growth and development.In the same category, Council received a Highly Commended for the upgrade of high voltage assets at Mooney Mooney Water Pump Station.Council also took out the Excellence in Road Safety Engineering for its proactive work in making our local roads safer.Council’s Chief Executive Officer, Mr Rob Noble, said the awards highlighted the quality of essential services Council provides to the community.“They are a testament to the hard work of our staff,” Mr Noble said.“These awards recognise our outstanding performance while carrying out some of our core services – water supply, planning and drainage.”
Congratulations to the winners of the 2016 Central Coast Council annual Short Story Competition, who were announced at a well-attended awards ceremony on the weekend.This is the fifth consecutive year the competition has been held, but the first time the competition has been held across the whole Central Coast region.This year entries were invited from four categories and the theme was open, with a 1500 word limit.The competition aims to boost the profile of creative writing on the Coast while providing a platform for hopeful authors to be discovered and celebrated.Council’s Section Manager of Library Services, Ms Andrea Edwards, said she was delighted with the response from the community.“We received a record number of 224 entries.
Residents are encouraged to make their homes and gardens more sustainable by learning about permaculture, composting, worm farming and keeping chickens at a new eco education garden at Buttonderry Waste Management Facility.The garden is being used for eight free community workshops during Wyong Lakes Festival, and bookings are essential.It contains raised garden beds, tepee display posts, gardening table, brick area for functions, foot bridge, children’s garden and play area, training amphitheatre and edible and native gardens.Council’s Senior Project Officer, Ms Narelle Peterson, said the garden had been specifically designed to facilitate community workshops where residents could learn to reduce waste and their use of household chemicals.“The garden was developed as part of Council’s Waste Less Recycle More program and the workshops are designed to teach the community how they can reuse and recycle,” Ms Peterson said.“Permaculture workshops will teach people how to harvest and maximise water, sun and other natural resources such as leaves, bird droppings and dust.”“Simple things such as planting seedlings in newspaper pots that can then be planted straight into the soil help minimise the amount of work needed in the garden and it’s environmentally friendly.”Some workshops include free starter packs which are limited to one per household.
A whale calf found caught in a shark net at Shelly Beach this morning has now freed itself.Council Lifeguard’s spotted the whale on their daily patrol this morning and called in ORRCA.A jet ski inspection by Lifeguards and ORRCA have confirmed the whale calf is no longer trapped in the nets and has been reunited with its mother.National Parks and Wildlife were notified and had launched a rescue boat from Sydney which has since turned back.A Channel Nine helicopter also confirmed to Council lifeguards the whale was definitely free.Hundreds of whales have been spotted along the Central Coast coastline over the last few days as they make their way south after their winter solstice.
Council is calling for final feedback on the concept design plan for the $1.4 million Koolewong boat ramp upgrade.This design is the product of two stages of stakeholder and community consultation commencing in May this year.Final comment is being invited via the Have Your Say Central Coast Website, by Friday 4 November.Council is upgrading this important aquatic infrastructure to provide a more user-friendly facility and accommodate increased usage capacity now and into the future.The upgrade will include construction of a dual-lane boat ramp, an on-ramp pontoon and a sailing pontoon.This upgrade has been made possible thanks to a $750,000 grant from the NSW Government’s NSW Boating Now program.Construction is planned for mid-2017.
Fourteen not-for-profit groups will share in $250,000 in Stronger Communities Fund grants for projects that will encourage a more vibrant, sustainable and inclusive community.Newly merged councils, like the Central Coast, received $10 million under the State Government’s Stronger Communities Fund to kick start the delivery of projects to improve infrastructure and services - with $1 million earmarked for grants for local community groups.
Central Coast Council is inviting the whole community to celebrate in the success of Tuggerah Library serving our community for the last 21 years.Come and join us on 19 October at 9.30am for this year’s big anniversary celebration with special guest appearances throughout the day and a delicious morning tea to mark this memorable occasion.Council’s Library Services Section Manager, Ms Andrea Edwards said, this celebration is a way to thank our community for its support in the last 21 years.“During this celebration local author and healer Laurie Leah Levine will talk on her three books and give practical guidance on how to live a more energised, peaceful and balanced life,” Ms Edwards said.“A free talk and a meditation session by members of the local Khedrubje Kadampa Buddhist Centre will also be made available for visitors on the day.“So come and join in on the festivities and have some fun at Tuggerah Library.“All bookings for talks, meditation sessions and the morning tea can be made by contacting the library directly on 4350 1560 or come in and see our staff.”Council’s Administrator, Mr Ian Reynolds, said our libraries support lifelong learning for all people on the Central Coast and act as vibrant community hubs.“Turning 21 is a big milestone and over this time over 5.5 million items have been borrowed from Tuggerah Library,” Mr Reynolds said.“Over the 21 years this popular branch has had over two million visitors come through its doors and this shows just how important our local libraries are to this community.“We are committed to keeping up with technology and improving our services across the libraries so we can deliver what our community needs, wants and values.”Find out more of what our libraries have to offer by visiting www.centralcoast.nsw.gov.au.
Do you know someone who deserves to be recognised for their work in the community?They may be the person who is always at the sportsground rain, hail or shine, or a leading local business entrepreneur.
Central Coast Council continues to bring authors to the Coast that will inspire the love of learning and this event is no different.Council is proud to present Sydney based Author Donna Redman to discuss her first novel ‘Awakening Sebastian’ on 7 October at your local Library in Lake Haven.Council’s Customer and Community Relations Manager, Ms Sue Ledingham said, Donna is a well-known writer, speaker, coach, teacher and trainer in student wellbeing.“Donna’s experience and knowledge in youth awareness shines through this honest and original portrayal of a young person’s struggles and pressures through year 12,” said Ms Ledingham.“We love supporting our Australian writers here on the Coast and we aim to provide our community with different insights and perspectives on life.“Awakening Sebastian is a captivating read and will awaken the soul of every reader.“So come and join us and hear Donna share her insights on how she came up with this amazing story.”This event will provide an opportunity for locals to meet the author, get their book signed and find out the secret of Donna’s success on 7 October at 4pm.Bookings are essential so please call 4350 1580 or visit Lake Haven Library in person.